Robocop (2014, Dir. José Padilha, USA) (Cert: 12a/PG-13) ***

Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Keaton, Gary Oldman

All around the world, the streets are being policed by armed robots produced by Megacorp. However, despite their success overseas, the American public is reluctant to allow the Detroit-based company to produce robots policing American cities. Raymond Sellars (Keaton) hits upon the idea of making such a creation more marketable to Americans (and exploit a legal loophole) by instead placing a man in a robotic suit. At the same time, cop Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) is severely injured in an explosion and without his consent becomes the new force in law enforcement: the Robocop.

Released in 1987, the original Robocop was one of the best science-fiction films of its era, combining comic book violence, an introspective subplot and a subtle, but unmistakable sheen of left-wing satire that softly derided the authoritarian and ultra-capitalist setting, whilst not alienating audiences on either side of the political spectrum. With the arrival of this reboot/remake, there have been expectations for it to crash and burn. But, whilst this new Robocop is doubtlessly inferior to the original film, it is a fairly decent effort when judged on its own merits.

A lot of the elements that made the original Robocop so special are still present, albeit to lesser degrees. The satirical edge really only sticks in with Samuel L. Jackson's turn as a jingoistic TV political pundit which makes for probably the best performance of the film. The film alsocomes with the same sleek "not-too-distant future" vibe that gives the film some seeming relevance, although it's probably not exploited to the greatest extent.

As Alex Murphy/Robocop, Kinnarman puts in a solid performance, in a role that does require more dimension than most action heroes. However, he seems to lack quite the amount of skill that Peter Weller brought to the role. Michael Keaton brings just the right amount of playfulness as the film's villain, with Keaton always being an enjoyable presence as a baddy. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman does a turn as a creator and mentor for Robocop; not an original kind of role, but one which Oldman seems to slip into like a well-tailored suit.

The music also deserves a mention, with a nicely appropriate reprise of the original Robocop theme, the film also features some gleefully apropos pieces of music to bring again the lightness of touch over what could easily have been a far grimmer story, which is also at times over-complicated.

To summarise, Robocop is no masterpiece and inevitably it doesn't stand up very strong alongside the 1987 variation with its convoluted plotting and dropping some promising themes with less satisfying ones. However, this film has picked up some strengths as well and occasionally shines with them.

Next time, Ralph Fiennes directs his own portrayal of Charles Dickens, involved in an adulterous affair with Felicity Jones in The Invisible Woman.

Bette Bourne: It Goes With The Shoes (2013, Dirs. Jeremy Jeffs, Mark Ravenhill, UK) (Cert: N/A) ***

Starring: Bette Bourne, Mark Ravenhill, Stuart Feather

Starting out as an actor and a face on British stage and screen in the 60's, Bette Bourne became involved in the burgeoning Gay Liberation movement before becoming a veteran of the drag performance circuit. This documentary follows Bette's story, personal life and political struggles.

Chances are, Bette Bourne: It Goes With The Shoes will fly under the radar of the public consciousness. A bare-bones documentary about a very countercultural figure, It Goes With The Shoes definitely gives away certain limitations but also has moments of genuine power. Like some other documentaries made for the cinema, It Goes With The Shoes doesn't make the effort to be cinematic. Whilst it's near-90-minute run-time may seem more akin to a film, the aesthetic and conventions of the film seem more televisual than cinematic.

With Bette Bourne being the main focus of the film, Bette is an intriguing figure. Brash and outspoken, it's clear that Bette has lived an interesting life and Bette's skill as a performer comes to the fore, performing scenes from his life which do come with some moments of genuine emotional impact, however the film really seems at its most interesting when it looks at the wider scope of Bette's time with Gay Liberation and drag performance which is worthy of a film all its own however Bette's a fascinating enough premise for the film to survive a little on the focus of a singular figure.

Bette Bourne: It Goes With The Shoes is interesting and entertaining viewing but it lacks a sense of craft to help seal the deal as well as it probably benefitting from a focus on a specific aspect rather than just skipping around several points it wants to make; still, those who are interested in what this film addresses might find something to enjoy.

Next time, a new spin on an old classic as Joel Kinnaman dons the metallic armour and hits the streets of Detroit in Robocop.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014, Dir. Rob Minkoff, USA) (Cert: U/PG) ***

Starring: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter

Mr. Peabody (Burrell) is a super-intelligent dog who also happens to be a master inventor and adopted father to a human boy, Sherman (Charles). When Sherman bites Penny (Winter) a girl at his new school, Mr. peabody invites Penny and her parents (Steven Colbert, Leslie Mann) to his house to keep the peace. Sherman shows Penny the WABAC, Mr. peabody's time machine, starting a wild adventure through history.

Over the years, a film franchise relating to classic animated characters Rocky and Bullwinkle has drifted into cinemas. First, in 1999 came Dudley Do Right about the scatter-brained Mountie. It got slaughtered by critics and was a complete failure at the box office. A year later came Rocky And Bullwinkle. It fared better critically and (technically) did better financially, but still was considered a rather poor film that financially failed. Now is the turn for Mr. Peabody And Sherman from Peabody's Improbable History and whilst it isn't a masterpiece, it's a fairly acceptable animated film with some impressive qualities.

This coming from Dreamworks, one the greatest computer animation studios in the world there's a feeling that whilst the simple and blocky animation style could've been an homage to the simple designs of the original Peabody and Sherman cartoons, it comes off as unimpressive rather than stylised especially since it is still radically different to the original cartoons.

As for the plot, whilst the film does eventually twist around the notion of a paradox in the space time continuum (which would be fine if it weren't for the fact that it's a premise that was used in Back To The Future (1985)) the film does give a nice variety of time periods to witness throughout whilst also providing a wealthy supporting cast of historical figures with acting choices that sometimes seem a given (Patrick Warburton as Agamemnon)  and some that seem unusual (Mel Brooks as Albert Einstein comes off rather more puzzling than you might think). In the leads, Ty Burrell does as surprisingly good job as Mr. Peabody given the rather specific characterisation whilst young Max Charles shows some promise as an actor in the role of Sherman. Ariel Winter rounds out the cast fairly well but it's surprising that more isn't made of her acting opposite Ty Burrell (given the two play father and daughter in the popular sit-com, Modern Family).

The film isn't exactly the height of wit, but it's worthy of a chuckle every now and then. The history presented is often wildly inaccurate but is so obviously bound to the fictional universe that it's not too misleading and whilst it won't provide a good education for children, it may inspire an interest in history. All things considered, Mr. Peabody And Sherman has its flaws, but it has good intentions, a fairly smart script and will probably keep kids entertained.

Next time, a sneak preview into the life of a gay rights activist in Bette Bourne: It Goes With The Shoes.

The Lego Movie (3D) (2014, Dirs. Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Australia/USA/Denmark) (Cert: U/PG) ****

Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell

Emmett (Pratt) is a construction worker in a land made entirely of Lego. Happy about literally everything, Emmett's good-natured but not very forward-thinking and no-one is more surprised when he is discovered to be the fabled Master Builder except for a tough-talking action heroine named Wyldstyle (Banks). With Wyldstyle a mystical figure known as Vitruvius (Freeman) and a few other companions, Emmett must be the hero and save the Lego people from the megalomaniacal Lord (and President) Business (Ferrell).

There's no doubt about the fact that The Lego Movie is at least in part a marketing exercise for Lego. Those plastic toy bricks from Denmark are the be all and end all of this picture but something else can't be denied about The Lego Movie. To put it simply, The Lego Movie is an amazing film that combines stunningly inventive animation and some of the greatest verbal and visual gags that you'll probably see all year.

Given that this is about a range of toys, the film has played up towards the kids market but it's clear that the filmmakers had more than just a slight inclination in appealing to adults. Given that Lego have tied themselves into numerous other franchises, the pop-culture gags come thick, fast and usually brilliantly (the brief take on Star Wars being a personal highlight alongside Will Arnett as a buffoonish Batman) andnthe humour seems on-spot considering that the in the film-makers' backgrounds are Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (2009) and the (admittedly, more adult) TV show Robot Chicken. Meanwhile, the animation (done mostly by computers in lieu of actual Lego) is a sight to behold, from dissipating clouds of smoke to a tumultuous seascape whilst the 3D, to its credit, brings an interesting dimension, once or twice in the film.

The performances are gleefully over-the-top in many places but Chris Pratt provides just the right level of gleeful optimism to make it work over the occasionally rather predictable plot (except for an initially baffling twist in setting towards the end). Mum and dad may get a little more out of the film's wisecracks than the kids will, but The Lego Movie is still a sure-fire crowd-pleaser for any age.

Next time, we take another look at a childhood favourite as Ty Burrell and Max Charles are father and son, dog and boy and going through time in Mr. Peabody And Sherman.

That Awkward Moment (2014, Dir. Tom Gormican, USA) (Cert: 15/R) **

Starring: Zac Efron, Imogen Poots, Miles Teller

Mikey (Michael B. Jordan) has just left his wife (Jessica Lucas) and so his single friends Jason (Efron) and Daniel (Teller) make a pledge to not get into any serious relationships whilst Mikey is unattached. The plan quickly falls apart once Jason develops feelings for the intellectual Ellie (Poots) and Daniel starts seeing his friend Chelsea (Mackenzie Davis) and Mikey has an affair with his ex-wife. Will the three (especially Jason) be able to maintain their relationships and their friendship?

Perhaps there is no better word to describe That Awkward Moment than the second word in its title. The screenplay for That Awkward Moment has sort of been drifting in the ether for several years, having the reputation of a potentially good film that had yet to be realised. Unfortunately, what has made it to the screen seems to be a plot that has no idea of to whom it belongs.

Our three male leads fit the bill as the leads in your typical low-brow "bro" comedy (Miles Teller having starred in the almost perfect example, 21 & Over (2013)) but also live lives in New York penthouse apartments and the film is peppered with references for Boyz N The Hood (1991) and The Story Of O; a strange disparity that whilst not out of the realms of reality makes for a jarring clash.

The adolescent nature of the humour means that it's a rather acquired taste that will leave people frustrated when the humour just doesn't fall completely flat and the dramatic elements clearly try to be more stirring than they are. The film also, controversially, addressees marriage and parenthood as bad things, tacitly portraying them as the end of any kind of fun or youthfulness. The nature of the three central relationships is still fairly balanced and dealt with in an even pace pace, and whilst no-one delivers a stunning performance, the actors seem to be making the most of the rather sketchy and inconsistent material, but the central problem is that of a film lacking in a firm sense of what it is or wants to accomplish.

Next time, we're in the world of Lego, where Chris Pratt discovers that he may not be just a normal faceless construction worker but a Messianic hero in The Lego Movie.

The Square (2013, Dir. Jehani Noujaim, Egypt/USA) (Cert: 15/Not Rated) ***

Starring: Ahmed Hassan, Khalid Abdalla, Magdy Ashour

In 2010, a series of revolutions erupted across the Islamic world aimed at various dictators who ruled over their countries. In Egypt, a major revolution to usurp President Hosni Murbarak is captured through the eyes and experiences of several people active within the revolution with different ideas and views on the future of Egypt.

One of the most interesting elements of documentary cinema is the occasions in which something remarkable is captured almost purely by chance. The Square is not just one of these moments but rather a succession, in the heat of one of the most tumultuous revolutions during the "Arab Spring". The film provides a ground-level view of the revolution and riots which presents not only a unique opportunity but also a raw intensity to sequences which pack an emotional punch.

However, with this immediacy there are other problems. Give. That this is covering an event that is still somewhat underway, the film lacks any satisfying sense of conclusion as if the story is half-done. Some of the sequences such as Ahmed Hassan's opening narration and the recurring sequence of a mural being painted distract from the more lively scenes of conflict. A mixed bag over all, but there Is more good than bad.

Next time, Zak Efron, Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller play three friends who vow to not enter a relationship before a recently-divorced Jordan. However, things don't go to plan in That Awkward Moment.

Lone Survivor (2013, Dir. Peter Berg, USA) (Cert: 15/R) ***

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Taylor Kitsch

In the war on the Taliban, the opportunity has arisen to take out Ahmat Shah (Yousuf Azami) a high-ranking member of the Taliban. An operation goes underway but when four soldiers are discovered by chance, a gruelling firefight leads to a fight for survival.

Based on the true story of Marcus Luttell (and Luttrell's book about the ordeal), Lone Survivor is an uneven film that falters as much as it succeeds. Opening with sweeping grandeur (the single shot of a helicopter flying towards camera is incredible), the film finds it difficult to maintain any tension or momentum. This problem largely resolves itself however when the film goes into grittier territory.

A large part of why the film's action sequences work better than he rest f the film is down to the greater sense of physicality. Our main characters go through the ringer and you feel every bit of their pain aided by the great sound design whilst the cat and mouse element that sets up the main crux of the film adds tension. Whilst the film does have some moments to illicit emotion and also raises some moral questions however, there's a sense that the film never truly lives up to be as good as it can be; and instead largely settles for being not bad but mediocre.

Next time, The Square. An in-depth and personal documentary of the recent political unrest in Egypt.